Of Delicate Pieces Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sigorny tuned out Gabe’s intellectual jargon, seizing the opportunity to scribble on her pad of paper. She could definitely twist Kaleb’s quote into something juicier.
    “… by stimulating the projection of where the prefrontal cortex of the brain would be.”
    Sigorny interrupted Gabe’s tutorial. “Do you believe, Kaleb, that the writing in their notebooks could have that sort of power?”
    “Mind control?”
    “Thought reform,” Gabe corrected.
    Kaleb shrugged. “Whether or not they were manipulated, that wasn’t my decision to make, was it?”
    Choosing words was like choosing moves during a chess match. “It’s only an opinion. In your opinion , can mere words have so much power over a person? Actually, that question can be for any of you.”
    Chase lifted his chin. “Of course words are influential. Isn’t that the purpose of your column?”
    “Well said.” She beamed, batting her lashes at Chase. He called her influential. It was quite the high. “What I mean is, do you think words can sway someone to do something they don’t want to do? Alex?”
    Come on. Give me something good , Sigorny pleaded.
    “I believe that someone can only be influenced if they want to be.”
    Boring.
    “And what about Jonas?” Sigorny asked. The figurative dagger pierced each of them differently. Alex looked at Chase. Chase looked at Kaleb. Kaleb looked away. Gabe looked at Sigorny. Their reactions chilled the scene, and her mind recalled the sensation of feeling the hairs on her arms stand on end. None of them spoke. How about a nudge?
    “How do you feel about his involvement in all this?”
    Kaleb began to speak, but Gabe interjected. “We spoke to you about Jonas months ago. Nothing has changed.”
    Sure it has , she thought. This was so much fun!
    “The ranks are still divided, I see. Gabe, you don’t believe that your brother should have been sent to the interrogation levels of the Dual Tower with the rest of the Eskers kids?”
    Gabe’s mouth tightened, and Sigorny tried not to stare at the marks streaking his gorgeous face. It was a treat, really, that her questions provoked their emotions. It gave her time to observe them without seeming odd. The defined lines of their features consumed her, so crisp, so definite, like their personalities. She longed to reach out and touch the lines of their high cheekbones, their heart-shaped mouths, and their jaws that twitched whenever she asked a question they didn’t want to answer.
    “You are well aware, Sigorny, that Jonas left the Eviar group. His intention, unlike the others, was never to harm anyone.”
    “So you say.”
    Kaleb took an aggressive step forward. Oh goodness, he was even closer now. “They would have arrested him otherwise.”
    She held up her hands. If she outstretched them, they would be on Kaleb’s chest. Adrenaline surged through her. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” But she knew she didn’t sound sorry at all. She was under their skin like a disease, and she was pleased to be there. It meant she had the power, and she could write about their reactions all she wanted!
    “What specifically did Jonas tell you about his involvement?”
    “None of your f—”
    “Careful, Kaleb,” Gabe said.
    She tried so hard not to smile. “The only reason I ask is because I thought you might have researched your family history afterward.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Because each of the Eskers kids is connected to a family historically poisoned by greed or bitterness. Even Joey Rellingsworth. How do you think his great-great-grandmother hoarded all those stocks of pure copper? They weren’t miners, those Rellingsworths; they were chemists. Rumor has it, they killed for their supplies.”
    Gabe ran a finger along his scars absently. “I read your article about the Rellingsworth family.”
    Sigorny’s pride surged even higher. He read her work! He remembered her work! Oh, spirited brains remember everything. Still! “I’m just saying that Jonas doesn’t